Unforgettable (14 page)

“You can count on it, Miss Spring,” he said, following her out of the pantry.

Patrick paused in the kitchen long enough to pour two glasses of punch. Praying Susan wouldn’t have to kill him for spilling any of it on his costume, he carried them carefully into the living room and offered one to Breezy. She smiled and graciously accepted his peace offering before walking away to start the games.

With Breezy gone from his side, Patrick felt anxious and uncertain what to do. Taking a sip of his punch, he adjusted his wings and settled back into an out-of-the-way corner, the better to observe the activities from a discreet distance. He was surprised at just how many people had attended this party. There must have been over seventy people gathered here. More importantly, they all knew each other and appeared to be friends. From the smallest child to the oldest adult, everyone was in costume. Patrick shook his head, amused at the sight of a witch talking to a flower, a skeleton talking to a ballerina, and a Roman soldier talking to a banana. Even more bizarre was the banshee dancing with a prince and an Indian maiden dancing with a bag of M&M’s. Patrick was simply amazed. He had lived his entire life in New York, yet he’d never experienced anything quite like this.

He watched intently as the crowd gathered to find seating on the floor, chairs and sofa, or lean against the walls if their costumes made sitting too complicated. Susan had separated the prizes for the children and the adults into two large bowls. The games would be played for prizes such as free passes to the movie theatre and roller skating rink, vouchers for free lunches and dinners, and discount coupons from various commercial establishments. All the prizes had been donated by the local merchants and store owners attending the party with their families. Each game would have one child winner and one adult winner, and the winners would choose a prize at random from the appropriate bowl.

“Patrick? Patrick!” Susan snapped her fingers under his eyes to get his attention. No way was she going to let him sit back and watch from the shadows. Anyone attending one of her parties was expected to participate in the games.

“Oh! Hey, Susan. Um, nice party,” he replied, finally noticing the cute little Scarecrow standing before him accompanied by a smirking Cowardly Lion.

“Well, it would be even nicer if you joined the fun. Here, let me take your wings off for you. I think you’ve worn them long enough and they’ll just get in the way now,” she said, relieving him of the huge wings.

“Aw, Susan! No way, I can’t…just leave me…,” Patrick protested, dragging his feet while Susan tugged on his arm and escorted him towards the rest of her guests.

“You might as well give in, buddy. Susan always gets her way,” Tom chuckled.

Embarrassed and self-conscious, Patrick reluctantly gave in to her bullying. Soon, however, he was surprised to find himself relaxed and laughing out loud for the first time in years. Of course, the fact Susan kept arranging things so he and Breezy were partnered in the games might have had something to do with it. Judging by Breezy’s reaction, she’d noticed Susan’s machinations as well, but seemed quite pleased to see him enjoying the evening after such a rocky start.

For the next game, five people lined up on the stairs leaving one empty step between each person. Hands held behind their backs at all times, the goal was to pass an apple from one person to the next, using only their chins to keep it from falling. Waiting at the bottom of the stairs, the last person to receive the apple had to carry it across the room and drop it into a bucket. If they dropped the apple, they had to start all over again until the task was completed. The team completing the task the fastest would win the prize.

Of course, Susan made sure Patrick would be last, receiving the apple from Breezy. The excitement of the game changed the moment Breezy turned to face Patrick and froze at his heated gaze. She doubted she could pass the apple to him even if she used both hands to do it. However, she was so thoroughly hypnotized by his beautiful brown eyes he was able to take the apple from her easily. Patrick carried it across the room quickly and dropped it into the bucket. After Susan declared them the winners, Patrick picked her up and swung her around in triumph. Breezy was so surprised she threw her head back and laughed out loud, clinging to his shoulders for balance as he turned in place. When Patrick finally set her down, their smiles slowly disappeared as the swirling current of heat flowing between them intensified. The spell was only broken when Susan called Breezy’s name.

Despite becoming involved in the games himself, Patrick still watched the entirely fascinating scene with interest. He had hosted and attended many parties over the years and, needless to say, none of them had been anything like this one. Most had been formal, tuxedoed affairs where people were addressed on a last name only basis. Talk was strictly business related since the underlying purpose of such parties was to try closing a deal or two or enhance your reputation by being seen with “the right people.” Hell, the only reason they were even called parties was because food and alcohol were served. Even the music and dancing had a subtle purpose, serving as a means to escape the unrelenting attention of overeager young businessmen.

But this party? Now, this party was actually fun! Here, a rather large group of neighbors, townspeople, and small business owners who all just happened to be good friends were gathered for the sole purpose of having fun and spending quality time together. All the conversations he’d overheard so far had covered a myriad of topics, mostly relating to family, friends, and life in general. No business talk at all. Simply amazing!

They’d just finished another game and were about to take a break when a pretty young girl interrupted Patrick’s train of thought.

“Breezy!” the girl called out, trying to get Breezy’s attention. “Before we play the last two games for the grand prizes, would you sing for us?”

“I don’t think so, Emily. We still have so much to do tonight and I don’t have anything prepared,” Breezy tried to explain.

“Oh, please? It doesn’t even have to be a Halloween song…you can sing anything you like. You sing so beautifully, Breezy. Please?” Emily pleaded.

Everyone applauded and cheered until she finally gave in.

Breezy wasn’t looking forward to singing unprepared in front of Patrick. Glancing around, she found him back in his corner, alone once more, watching her intently. She wondered what he was thinking. Aside from their heated words in the pantry, he seemed to be enjoying the party. But she hadn’t spoken to him since the games began so she couldn’t be sure. She was still trying to figure him out. Tom’s college friend or not, she didn’t know who he was, where he came from, or what he did for a living. She’d been in the same room with him for most of the evening but he was still a mystery. Even more disturbing were the strange feelings coursing through her body every time he looked at her, or smiled at her, or touched her.

All of a sudden, an idea occurred to her and, after speaking with Susan at the piano for a moment, she knew which song she wanted to sing.

“I wasn’t expecting to sing tonight but, since you all talked me into it, I guess I have no choice. I’ve known nearly all of you for most of my life. In one way or another, you’ve all been there for me when I needed you so I’ve chosen a song about friendship. But I’d also like to dedicate this song to someone who was also there for me just when I needed him most,” Breezy said, not looking at Patrick. The last thing she wanted to do was embarrass him in front of everyone. “This song is for all of my friends, old and new, and for one special friend. It’s my way of saying thank you…for everything.”

Susan played the introduction and as Breezy began to sing Bette Midler’s “Wind Beneath My Wings”, Patrick’s mouth dropped open in amazement. He hadn’t expected this fragile looking woman to have such a strong, beautiful voice…a voice strong enough to be clearly heard throughout the room, yet still soft and gentle. Her soprano brought images to mind of a beautiful spring morning, sunshine after the rain, a soft sweet lullaby, and Patrick felt uplifted as Breezy’s voice wove over and through him. As he stood quietly watching and listening, he couldn’t recall ever having heard or seen anything more beautiful in his life.

Patrick looked around the room at the guests and saw them all watching Breezy with love in their eyes. He noticed one woman take the hand of a friend sitting next to her and squeeze it lightly. They looked at each other as though sharing a special memory. In fact, everyone present seemed to share a bond of friendship he envied.

For the second time that night, Patrick felt completely out of place. The feeling was stronger this time, accompanied by a feeling of deep regret. Susan, Breezy and Tom had tried so hard to make him feel at home here but he knew he didn’t belong. He wished he was a part of their world but he wasn’t and probably never would be. He was only passing through, after all.

With a quiet sigh, he turned his attention back to Breezy. From what he’d observed tonight, she seemed to be at the center of everything; the party, the friendships, the love…the center of everyone’s life in the room, including his. Somehow, she was the tie that bound them all. Did the woman have no flaws? She was kind and gentle, loving, beautiful, and she could sing like…like…, Patrick smiled. As silly as it sounded under the circumstances, she could sing like an angel and was as beautiful as only an angel could be.

Patrick was so lost in his thoughts he didn’t notice Breezy crossing the room to stand at his side. She took the glass of punch from his hand, sat it on a nearby table and took his hand in hers. They crossed the room together, back to the piano where everyone else had gathered. She’d noticed he was the only one not included in the gathering and that he’d grown somber as she sang. She didn’t want him to feel excluded since the song was for him most of all. As she sang the last verses, she stared into his stunned eyes, singing only to him, saying the things she hadn’t had the chance to say to him.

For the first time that evening, Patrick began to feel as though he could belong here. Breezy had done more than just make him a part of her circle of friends; she’d placed him in the center of it, right by her side. And the thick layer of ice surrounding Patrick Day’s heart began to melt slowly, one precious drop at a time.

Chapter 9 “A Walk in the Dark”

“Well, that’s the last one out the door,” Susan sighed in relief as she walked back into the living room and plopped down on the couch beside Brittany and Patrick. “Now I just have to start thinking about how to top this party before next Halloween!”

“No rest for the wicked!” Tom shouted from the kitchen where he was industriously rinsing dirty dishes in the sink before loading them into the dishwasher.

“Susan, I can’t remember the last time I had so much fun,” Patrick declared. “Thank you so much for inviting me and for talking me into wearing this awesome costume. As much as I’d like to stay longer, I do have an early meeting in the morning so I’m afraid I must be going.” He stood up and turned to gaze down at Brittany’s upturned face. “Thank you too, Brittany, for everything.”

“There you go again, thanking me for nothing,” Brittany replied playfully. “I’m going to call it a night too, Susan. It’s been a long day for me, what with the flight home, helping you with this party, not to mention the games, singing and…everything,” she said, rolling her eyes in Patrick’s direction. “Honestly, I’m completely wiped out and you guys need to get some rest, too. Don’t bother with all this mess tonight, sweetie. I’ll come over in the morning and help you clean up.”

“Okay, kiddo. I’ll see you tomorrow,” Susan said, standing and pulling Brittany up off the couch into a gentle hug. “And don’t you be a stranger, Patrick. I wish you’d reconsider our offer to stay here with Tom and me. We have the room and it would be so much more fun for you to be among friends rather than all by yourself in an apartment way across town.”

“I appreciate the offer, Susan, but my rent is paid in advance, the kitchen is stocked, and I’m already unpacked.” Although he was touched by the sincerity of their gesture, Patrick valued his privacy too much to take them up on it.

“Well, you can’t blame me for trying. If you change your mind, it’s an open invitation. Good night, you two,” Susan said, leaving them alone to join Tom in the kitchen.

“May I see you home safely, Brittany? It’s getting pretty late,” Patrick inquired softly.

“That’s not necessary, Patrick, but thank you. I just live at the other end of the block…it’s a short walk,” she replied, assuming he intended to drive her home.

“I know,” he answered, his left eyebrow lifted knowingly as his lips turned up in a crooked grin. Tom had mentioned she lived nearby; he just wanted a chance to talk with her alone. “May I please walk you to your door?”

“Um, okay. I don’t see why not,” Brittany said, finally catching on. She trusted Patrick instinctively and saw no reason to fear being alone with him. It was the perfect opportunity to have him all to herself, if only for a little while. Things were far from settled between them and she had an idea that might just go some way towards settling this “debt” she felt she still owed him. She only hoped he would agree to it.

“Good. Just give me a few minutes to morph from heavenly creature back to mere mortal,” he chuckled, heading upstairs to the guest bedroom to change out of his angel costume.

Brittany was waiting by the front door holding her coat and purse by the time Patrick reappeared wearing an immaculately tailored, three-piece Armani suit. They stepped out onto the porch and began a slow, companionable stroll towards Brittany’s home. The night was warm, a complimentary end to one of the last few days of Indian Summer. As Patrick walked contentedly by Brittany’s side, he couldn’t help noticing the beautifully crafted homes enriching this charmingly old fashioned neighborhood. Wrought iron cages surrounded the trees lining the red brick sidewalk, while white picket or wrought iron fences enclosed most of the front yards. Each Victorian house was unique in its color combination and architecture, graced with meticulously landscaped and manicured lawns. Bathed in the light of a Harvest Moon, the whole scene was enchanting.